CF BASKETBALL

Patriots earn spot in national semis

Published: Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Friday, March 22, 2013 at 12:10 a.m.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Eugene McCrory made sure the College of Central Florida men's basketball made its way to the NJCAA Final Four.

McCrory scored 19 of his game-high 29 points in the second half and helped the Patriots erase a seven-point second deficit by outscoring Central Arizona 49-31 over the final 20 minutes on their way to an 81-68 win in the tournament quarterfinals.

“Will (Saunders) and Rasham (Suarez) were knocking down shots from the wing and (Central Arizona) had a decision to make,” McCrory said. “They left me one-on-one and I went out and did what I had to do.”

The UCF commit made 12-of-13 shots and grabbed 12 rebounds, while CF held the Vaqueros (30-5) to 29 percent shooting in the second half.

“This was a great team win and this was the best that we've done at staying together as a team,” said Patriots coach Tim Ryan, whose team will face No. 2 Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist tonight at 9.

McCrory's basket with 8:57 left gave the Patriots the lead for good and started a 6-0 run, which gave them a 60-54 lead.

From there, the Patriots clamped down even more on the Vaqueros, whose running game was limited down the stretch.

“The key to the game was getting back on defense,” said CF sophomore guard Jordan Davis, who finished with seven assists. “To win this game and make the final four is amazing. I thought getting to the finals against Brevard and winning state was great, but this is even better.”

Jeremiah Eason joined McCrory in dominating the inside with 13 points and helped the Patriots to a 40-28 rebounding edge.

“(Eason and McCrory) played like monsters,” said CF sophomore forward Jordan Parks, who finished with 10 points. “I think we took (Central Arizona) for granted, but coach Ryan got on us and we realized what was at stake and we got the job done.”

Suarez scored nine of his 12 points in the second half, while Saunders added nine, including a key 3-pointer with 2:49 that pushed CF's lead to 72-66 and sparked a game-closing 12-2 run.

<p>HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Eugene McCrory made sure the College of Central Florida men's basketball made its way to the NJCAA Final Four.</p><p>McCrory scored 19 of his game-high 29 points in the second half and helped the Patriots erase a seven-point second deficit by outscoring Central Arizona 49-31 over the final 20 minutes on their way to an 81-68 win in the tournament quarterfinals.</p><p>“Will (Saunders) and Rasham (Suarez) were knocking down shots from the wing and (Central Arizona) had a decision to make,” McCrory said. “They left me one-on-one and I went out and did what I had to do.”</p><p>The UCF commit made 12-of-13 shots and grabbed 12 rebounds, while CF held the Vaqueros (30-5) to 29 percent shooting in the second half.</p><p>“This was a great team win and this was the best that we've done at staying together as a team,” said Patriots coach Tim Ryan, whose team will face No. 2 Spartanburg (S.C.) Methodist tonight at 9.</p><p>McCrory's basket with 8:57 left gave the Patriots the lead for good and started a 6-0 run, which gave them a 60-54 lead.</p><p>From there, the Patriots clamped down even more on the Vaqueros, whose running game was limited down the stretch.</p><p>“The key to the game was getting back on defense,” said CF sophomore guard Jordan Davis, who finished with seven assists. “To win this game and make the final four is amazing. I thought getting to the finals against Brevard and winning state was great, but this is even better.”</p><p>Jeremiah Eason joined McCrory in dominating the inside with 13 points and helped the Patriots to a 40-28 rebounding edge.</p><p>“(Eason and McCrory) played like monsters,” said CF sophomore forward Jordan Parks, who finished with 10 points. “I think we took (Central Arizona) for granted, but coach Ryan got on us and we realized what was at stake and we got the job done.”</p><p>Suarez scored nine of his 12 points in the second half, while Saunders added nine, including a key 3-pointer with 2:49 that pushed CF's lead to 72-66 and sparked a game-closing 12-2 run.</p>